In a disappointing turn of events, Conor McGregor's highly anticipated fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 seems to be on the brink of cancellation. MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has reported that the fight being called off is "just a formality at this point." While there is still a slight possibility of the fight going ahead, negotiations are already underway to find a replacement opponent.

Speculations about a potential cancellation arose after the UFC abruptly canceled a scheduled press conference in Dublin, Ireland, on June 3, just 12 hours before it was supposed to take place. No reason was provided for the cancellation, leaving fans puzzled and concerned about the status of the McGregor-Chandler fight.

Adding to the uncertainty, McGregor himself hinted at a possible injury on his Instagram story. Posting an old clip discussing injuries in the sport, McGregor included a caption with sad and praying emojis, suggesting that he might be dealing with an injury that could hinder his participation in the upcoming fight.

The Irish fighter suffered a devastating leg injury in his July 2021 bout against Dustin Poirier, breaking his shin bone. As a result, he has not set foot inside the octagon for almost three years. McGregor's lengthy absence from the sport has only fueled the anticipation for his return and has undoubtedly added to the disappointment if the fight is indeed called off.

Though Max Holloway was initially seen as a hopeful replacement, his social media activity suggests that he is currently in Japan, making him unavailable for the UFC 303 event. Consequently, the promotion is diligently searching for a suitable replacement, recognizing that nothing quite compares to the magnitude of a Conor McGregor fight.

UFC 303 is scheduled to take place in just two weeks' time, adding urgency to the situation as the promotion strives to find a suitable replacement. McGregor holds the record for the three largest pay-per-view gates in UFC history, and the expected gate revenue for UFC 303 was touted to exceed $20 million. Losing such a high-profile fight undoubtedly presents a significant setback for both the promotion and the fans eagerly awaiting the return of the Irish-born fighter.

As fight enthusiasts eagerly await an official announcement, it remains to be seen whether the McGregor-Chandler bout will proceed as planned or if a replacement opponent will step in to salvage the event. The coming days will be crucial in determining the fate of a fight that had generated massive excitement amongst fans worldwide.